RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 5 -- Gremio have been unfairly handicapped in their quest to win this month's FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Brazilian club's coach Renato Gaucho.
The Copa Libertadores champions are currently unable to maintain match fitness because Brazil's domestic season finished on Sunday, Renato said.
In addition, midfielder Cristian and attacker Cicero will not travel with the team due to tournament rules that bar the participation of players contracted after August.
"Other teams are going to have an advantage. They are playing. By the time our first game comes along we'll have not played for 15 days. It's going to be difficult," Renato told reporters on Tuesday.
"I don't understand the decision by FIFA to disallow Cristian and Cicero. The competition is going to be weaker in their absence, but Gremio will suffer most."
Gremio will also be forced to travel in two groups due to the lack of availability on commercial flights from Brazil to the United Arab Emirates. The club only secured a place in the competition last week when they defeated Argentina's Lanus in the Copa Libertadores final.
In addition to Cristian and Cicero, Barcelona target Arthur will also be missing from Gremio's squad for the tournament due to an ankle injury.
Gremio will make their debut in the tournament against either Pachuca of Mexico or Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca in Al-Ain on December 12. The winner will earn the right to play in the final at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
国际英语资讯:Pakistans finance minister stresses to enhance trade ties with regional countries
国际英语资讯:Remains of Italys Genoa collapsed bridge destroyed to open way to reconstruction
体坛英语资讯:Roundup: Federer, Wozniacki blitz competition on Australian Open Day 3
巧克力送同事不如送自己 日本女性抵制情人节送礼传统
今年樱花何时开放?原来日本是这样预测樱花花期的
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Qomolangma reserve bans ordinary tourists in core zone
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Xis trip to Osaka drives multilateralism, G20 cooperation, global economy
国际英语资讯:Senior U.S. diplomat to visit Germany, Israel
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Barr confirmed as U.S. attorney general largely along party lines
国际英语资讯:All U.S. states will see net job loss due to announced tariffs: study
国际英语资讯:Uruguay, Argentina agree to revive regional integration
国内英语资讯:Chinas top political advisor meets DPRK guest
老外亲述:为啥中国人这么喜欢用数字?
国内英语资讯:China targets more efficient public interest litigation system
国际英语资讯:Japan demands remarks about emperor made by S. Korean assembly speaker be retracted
国内英语资讯:China to lift another ten million people out of poverty in 2019
娱乐英语资讯:Bands Boney M., Joy to perform in Vietnam
菲利普亲王上交驾驶证!只因不系保险带?
国内英语资讯:Chinese FM to visit Thailand for strategic consultation
国内英语资讯:Chinas top legislature wraps up bimonthly session
国内英语资讯:Chinas largest air carrier serves 2.1 mln passengers in Spring Festival holiday
国内英语资讯:Chinese shares jump on 1st trading day of Year of Pig
国内英语资讯:Senior CPC official stresses improving publicity, ideological workers quality
国内英语资讯:Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership to build info bridge
国内英语资讯:China, India contribute most to global greenery expansion: NASA data
国际英语资讯:Russia, Turkey, Iran pledge to enhance joint work on Syrian peace process
国际英语资讯:UN Security Council condemns deadly attack in southeastern Iran
体坛英语资讯:Bayern beat Hoffenheim 3-1 in German Bundesliga
国内英语资讯:Chinese, Japanese officials, scholars call for joint efforts to promote healthy development
国际英语资讯:Indonesia, Eurasia Economic Commission to expand economic cooperation